Counting mechanism



E. F. HATHAWAY.

COUNTING MEcHANasM.

` 3 SHEET SHEET Z.

mv, mn

mm ww v J.

5f. HATHAWAY.

comme MECHAMSM.

FILED MAR.1"4,1921.

3 SHEETSWSHEET 3.

Patented Feb. 6, 1923.

EDGAR F. HATHAWAY, OF DORCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO SHAWMUT ENGINEERING COMPANY, OF DORCHESTER,

MASSACHUSETTS.

MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF COUNTINGr` MECHANISM.

Application filed Marchl 14, 19/21. Serial lo. 452,289.

To all cito/1t it may concern.'

Beit known that I, EDGAR'F. HATHAWAY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Dorchester, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Counting Mechanism, of which the following description, in connection withthe accompanying drawings, 1s a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relatesto counting mechanism of general application. In oider that the principle of the invention may be readily understood, I have disclosed a single embodiment. thereof in the accompanying drawings, whereinp Fig. 1 is a plan view of counting mecha.- nism embodying my invention;

Fig. 1:l is a. development of a port-ion of a pattern surface preferably employed in the practice of my invention and indicating how a predetermined number may be counted;

Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical. longitudinal, central section of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3a is a detail upon an enlarged scale of a poltion of the structure shown in Fig. 3; and

Fig. i is a view in vertical section upon the line -l-f of Fig. 3 and looking toward the left in said figure.

Figs. 5 to 11 inclusive are side elevations of counter disks of different denominations.

'hile my invention is of generalapplication and is capable of use in many different relations, I shall describe the same with reference to thread or yarn changing mechanism which may be of any suitable type but is preferably of the general type disclosed in my (so-pending applications Serial Nos. 449,887, 455,503 and 449.888. y.

Referring more. particularly tothe dra-wings,` the framing of the mechanism is indicated generally at 1 and for the purposes of the description it may be regarded as a part of the framing of the mechanism shown in said v(fo-pending applications wherein is disclosed means for forming a chenille fabric that is cut into chenille strips. In such an organization, to which my invention is in nowise limited, I desirably provide means Vnected at for supplying any one of a series of differentiated weft threads to a weft laying device. Thilo such wefts may be differentiated by reason of any selected characteristics, they are desirably contrasted in color. In such an organization .each weft thread or yarn is supplied to the weft carrier by an element which may be a tube or finger, and the functioning element is positioned in such relation to the weft carrier that its yarn or thread is supplied thereto. The functioning position of such element is controlled by a pattern organization and for purposes of this description the master pattern may he assumed to be the pattern surface 2 represented in the several figures of the drawing. It is clearly to be understood, however, that the application of my invention is broad and such specific description asis herein given does not constitute a limitation in this respect.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, I have indicated at 3 a shaft mounted in the framing and having fast thereon asprocket gear 4 that is adapted to be driven from some suitable part of the mechanism. Fast upon the shaft 3 is a cam 5. In the referred to application of my invention, the cam 5 makes one complete rotation to one complete reciprocation'of the lay of the mechanism hylwhich the Wefts are beaten up. Engaging with the periphery of the cam 5 is a roll 6 upon the arm 7 of a lever 8 pivoted at 9 upon the framing 1 and having an arm 10 provided with a slot 11 in its free end. Pivotally mounted in the said 'slotcat 12 is the end of a link 13 which at its other end is pivotally con- 14 to a lever arm 15 loosely mounted upon a\ shaft 16 but fast with two lever arms 1T also pivotally mounted on said shaft 16 at opposite thereof and near their outer ends each having a pin or pivotal support 18 for a series of pawls 19, which correspond in number with the number of counters or members hereinafter more fully referred to.- and which in the present instance are the unit counter, and the tive` the ten. the fifty, the

one hundred, the five hundred and the one thousand counters. 4All of said counters, which will be described more fully hereinafter-.are loosely'mounted upon said shaft IGfor step-by-step rotation and are shown in plan in Fig. 1.

ends

, trolled by certain pattern -mechanism, so

that according to the dictates of the pattern,

the seleced counter member-may be caused to function and to countin laccordance with the dictates ,of the pattern and in accordance with its own formation. Y

. As shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3.1 providev means tending normally to move the several pawls 19 into engagement with their ratchets, one'of which latter is indicated at 20 in Fig. 3, and the number thereof equalling the number of counters. For this purpose,` the outer ends of the levers 17 are represented as having a cross piece 21 thereon to which is secured by screws 22 a plate 23 extending across the mechanism and supporting av series of coiled springs 24 positioned above the respective pawls 19, the ylower ends' of said springs pressing upon the said pawls and corresponding in number thereto. As will be pointed out hereinafter, only a single pawl 19 isypern'iitted to function at a given time, and then vonly in accordance with .the dictates of the pattern mechanism.

The` `ratchet 20 shown lin Fig. 3, is provided with a series of paw-l receiving notches 25 and to prevent 'over movement of the ratchet, I provide a lever pivoted at'26, one arm 27 of said lever having a roll 28 adapted to engage the notches 25 and thev other arm 29 of said lever having connected-thereto a' coil spring 30, the opposite end of whichis connected to a cross rod or' stud '31 uponfthe framing 1. The entire series of ratchets 20 is similarly constructed.

In .the side members of the framing 1, there is supported for. rocking movement a shaft 32 adapted to be rocked by a lever arm 32 fast thereon and provided with a roll 32 bearing upon the'perip'hery of the cam 32 fast upon the shaft 3, and shown mostJ clearly in Figs.`.1 and 2. Said shaft is constantly rocked at regular intervals, and in the disclosed embodiment of the invention once for each revolution of the shaft 3, and has fast thereon a feeler arm 33 extending entirely across the series of counter elements, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 1. Secured to the upper end vof said arm 33 is a feeler 34 preferably in the form of a plate or bar and adapted constantly to be rocked toward and from the series of counter elements and to enter into the series of notches. one of which is indicated at 35 in Fig. 3. whenv the entire series of notches is brought into transverse alignment.

As pointed out more fully hereinafter, the number of said notches 35 upon the several counter elements depends upon the counting 'capacity of that element. For example, in the tens counter, there may be provided but a single such notch 35 Whereas the units counter may be provided with 'ten such notches. In the counter elements that are adapted to count higher numbers, as, for example, the thousand, I may and preferably do provide for a duplex organization wherein at the end of a count, two notches of that duplex organization are themselves brought into transverse alignment7 as well as with notches in the other counters of the series.

Snitably mounted in the framing is a shaft 36 preferably in substantially the same horizontal planel as the shafts 3 and 16, and fast. thereon is a drum or barrel 37 having thereon at its opposite ends teeth 38 adapted to engage therows of perforations 38 in the opposite ends of the pattern surface or roll 2 so aste move the latter in a stepfby-step manner as hereinafter set forth, it being noted that the surface or roll 2 may, when- -formed as a cylinder, be of any suitable diameter and is supported loosely'or tightly as the case may be by the drum 37. Also fast upon the shaft 36 is a ratchet 39 having spaces 40 adapted to beengaged at designated times by a tooth or pawl 41 upon a lever 42 pivoted at 43 upon the arm 44 of a leverwhich is itself loosely mounted upon the shaft 36. A suitable spring 45 is pro` vided tending normally to hold the tooth 41 in functioning relation to the ratchet 39. Ixigid with the leverarm 44 is ,a lever arm 46 which at itsou'ter end 47 is pivotally connected to a link 48 itself pivotallv connected at 49 to one end1 of the lever 15 and which as heretofore stated is constantly operated through the agency of the cam Thus a constant movement of oscillation is imparted to the pawl lever 42 and a constant step-by! step movement would thereby be imparted to the pattern surface 2 were not means provided and which will now be described. to hold the pawl lever 42 out of functioning relation with the ratchet 39, excepting at the times said ratchet 39 is to receive movement in accordance with the count.

Fast uponthe rock shaft 32 and hence. rigid with the feeler bar 3.4, and which latter is permitted to make a 'complete move mentto the left viewing Fig. 3. only when the notches 35 are all, brought into transverse alignment. is a level' arm 5() to the at 51 a link 52 which at its opposite end is pivotally connected at 53 to a lever 54. Between its ends and as indicated at 55 there is pivotally connected tothe link 52 a lever 56 which is loosely mounted for rocking movement upon a stud or short shaft 57. The lower end of said level' 56 is represented in dotted lines in Fig. 3 as having a head or enlargement 58 which is adapted to bear louter end whereof is piwotally connectedy against a flange 59 upon the lower end of the pawl lever 42, the construction being such that until the link 52 is permitted to move to the full extent of its movement to the left viewing Fig. 3 (and which can occur only when the notches 35 come into transverse alignment), the projection 58 on the lever 56 will, because of its engagement with the flange 59 of the pawl lever 42. hold the tooth or pawl 41 out of engagement with the ratchet 39 throughout the oscillating movement of the lever 44, and hence no movement is imparted to the said vratchet 539 and therefore the pattern surface 2 remainsy stationary. When. however, the notches 35 are brought into transverse alignment. then the link 52 makes its full movement toward the left viewing Fig..3 upon the ensuing feeling movement of the feeler 54. thus withdrawing the projection 58 from the flange`59 of the pawl lever 42 and the spring 45 thereupon moves the tooth or pawl 4l into functioning relation with the ratchet S9 and moves the-latter one step, thus moving the pattern surface 2 one step with the result that by" intermediate devices to be hereinafter referred to the notches 35 no longer` remain in transverse alignment.

Suitably mounted in the framing 1 and as ,here shown in substantially the same horizontal plane as the shafts'3, 16. 36. is a' shaft 60 having fast thereona drum 61 which may and preferably doescorrespond with a drum shown in my co-pending application Serial No. 449.686, said drum desirably being composed of a series of disks placed in face to face contact and each provided with one or more sockets 624 according to the desired pattern.. said sockets being-'adapted to receive the tapered ends 63 of a series of l rods or spindles 64 by which the' mechanism may be controlled. In the broad aspect of myinvention. such mechanism'may be of any suitable character. and my invention is so to be regarded. although in my saidcopending application l have represented the rods 64 as controlling the positioning of certain weft supplying fingers or elements.

Fast upon the shaft 60 is a ratchet 65 having notches or spaces 66 with which at the proper times is adapted to engage a tooth 67 upon a pawl lever 68 itself pivotally mounted at 69 upon a lever arm 70 loose upon the shaft 6l) but fast with a lever arm 7l which is pivotally connected at 72 to a link 73 itself pivotally connected at its opposite end at 74to the lever arm 46 between its ends.

As heretofore stated. the lever 46 is constantly oscillated through the` described connections from the cam 5. Thus vthe lever arm 7() with its pawl lever 66 is constantl)r oscillated and would impart a constant stepbj1-Step movement of rotation to the ratchet with the ratchet 65.

ratchet and to function by imparting av stepped movement to said.. ratchet 65 and consequently to the drum 6l. l provide-a suitable spring 75 tending constantly .to move the tooth ror pawl 67 into engagement The lever 54 is pivoted intermediate its ends upon the frame at 76 and at its lower end has a roll or head 77 which is adapted flo bear against a flange 78 upon the lower end of the pawl lever4 68. the construction being similar to that provided for the pawl lever-.42 and so that a movement of oscil- -lation may be imparted to the lever with a bodily movement ofthe pawl lever 68 and throughout .such movement the pawl 67 may -i and will be held out of functioning relation to the ratchet 65 excepting in the event that the lever 54 is rocked so as to withdraw the roll or projection 77 from the flange 78. In such event the pawl 67 is permitted to function and a movement of one step is imparted to the drum 61. the rods or pluugers 64 being at the same time withdrawn from functioning relation with the said drum, in a manner not herein necessary to describe and fully pointed out in my said co-pending application Serial No. finisse. Y

Preferably I provide a coiled or other spring 79 connected to the `frame and to the lever 46 tendingto rock said lever in a clockwise direction and through the connections thereto to hold the roll 6 in contact with the cam 5.

The pattern surface 2 as represented most clearly in Fig. 1a is provided with a series of p'erforatio'nswhich I have generally indicated respectively at d, 7). c, e, f and g, and cooperating respectively with the disks for counting units, fives. tens. fifties, one hundreds, five hundreds and thousands. It will be understood thatcounters of any desired denomination may be provided, those herein represented being indicative merely of coun-- ters that may be employed. For each of said counters 1 provide as most clearly represented in F ig. 3 a plunger or spindle 80 which are herein shown as having1 tapered ends 61 to enter openings inthe pattern surface 2 or to ride on said surface. Said plungers or spindles at their opposite ends 82 are respectively adapted to engage flanges 83 upon a corresponding number of level' arms 84 respectively fast with the pawl levers 19 mounted upon the stud or pin 18. As heretofore set forth. the. several ratchets 20 of the series of countersv are adapted to be rotated in a step-by-step manner by the corresponding pawls 19.l lVhile the coil springs 24 tend normally to hold the pawls 19 in functioning relation With the ratchets 20, it is to be understood that the yrespective plungers or spindles 80 under the dictates of the pattern 2 will, when riding upon the surface of the pattern 2, hold the corresponding pawls 19 out of functioning relation with the ratchet 20. When, however, and as indicatedin Fig. 3, a spindle or plunger 80 is.

receivedin an opening in the pattern surface 2, it moves to the left viewing Fig. 2, and permits the corresponding` pawl19 to enter a notch in the corresponding ratchet 2O and to turn the same one step. This operation is repeated according to the dictates of the pattern surface 2.

ylhe pattern surface 2 may be made of any suitable material such as metal or even paper. lf,however, the pattern surface be made of paper or some like material, there is a tendency on the part of the spindles or plungers 80 in their constant axial movements to wear holes in the surface 2. l: therefore find it desirable to take strain ofi' the said spindles or plungers 80 which in the disclosed embodiment of my invention are employed to rock the pawls 19. While for this purpose any suitable means may be provided, l have employedthe following mechanism.

Upon an upstanding part 85 of the framing, and as shown most' clearly in Fig. 3, there is provided a stud or pin 86 upon which are loosely mounted a series of bell crank levers corresponding' in number to the. number of pawls 19 and each having one arm 87 to which is connected a' spring 88 tending; to rock said lever in a contraclockwise direction and an arm 89 having:- thereon a roll 90 adapted to take against the corresponding flange 83 on the corresponding lever arm 85.-. rllhus each lever arm 84 when rocked /to the lett viewing' Fig. 3, rocks the corresponding bell. crank lever 87.89 upon the stud 0r pin 8G so as to bring the correspendingarm 87 into contact with the under side of the bent end 91 of a corresponding pin 92 fast on and upstandinn from the corresponding spindle or plunger 80. '.lhis upward pressure against the pin 92 relieves largely the pressure in an axial direction uponthe corresponding'spindle or plunger 80 and permits me to employ pattern surfaces 2 of relatively light material such as'paper without danger of wear.- ing holes in such pattern surfaces. Any other suitable means may be provided to accomplish this result. y

l provide means whereby periodically and preferably once at each revolution of the cam shaft 3. all the plungers or spindles 80 are momentarily withdrawn from the pattern surface 2 so as to permit the latter to be turned if such movement is called for. and

also to withdraw the several pawls 19 from or to move them outwardly with respect to i, .eenen the ratchets 20.` lVhile for this purpose any suitable means may be provided, I have herein provided the following organization of parts.

Upon the stud or pin 5T l loosely mount a pair of similar bell crank levers, one arm 93 of each of which is provided at its lower end with a cross bar or actuator 91 connecting said levers and adapted .to lmove to and fro in a series of slots or elongated recesses 95 in the upper surface of the severalspindles or rods 80, thereby when said bell crank levers are rocked-to move said spindles or rods 80 in an axial direction and thus momentarily to withdraw their ends 81 from the pattel'nsurface 2 and to cause them momentarily to swing the pawls 19 ont of functioning relation with and away from the ratchets 20.V The said spindles or rods 80 are, however` normally held in engagement with the surface 2 by means of a correspondingr number of coiled springs 9G connected at one end to pins 97 depending' therefrom and at their other ends to the framing 1.

its most clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. the opposite arms 98 of said bell crank levers at their lower ends are connected by a cross pin 99 which when said levers 93.

98 are rocked so as to move in a contraclockwise direction, engage all the lever arms ttland rock them in a contracloclm'ise direction, thus witlnlrawing;` the pawls 19 from or moving them away from the several ratchets 20. Fast with the pair of levers 93. 98 is a lever arm 100 to which'is pivotally connected at its end 101 a link 102 to the opposite. end 103 whereof is pivotally connected a` bell crank lever 104 havinguv arms 105` 106, said lcver beine` pivoted at 107 and provided at the end ot the arm 10G with a roll 108 adapted to hear upon the periphery of a cam 109 fastupon the shaft, and therefore rotatinpr once to cach complete reciprocation of the lay in the described application of the invention. The link 52 has connected to its lefthand end viewing Fin'. 3. a coil sp1-ine' 110. the opposite end whereof y,is connected to the framing' and tendingY normally to hold the feeler 3l against the series of counters and to canse it to enter the notches 35 therein when in alignment.

The tecler 34 is so controllcrljdiv the cani 32 that it. is normally out of contact with the. periphery of the counter disks or elcments, but is"periodically--that is. at each revolution ot the shaft 8-rocked toward said counter elements so as to enter the slots 85 if in alignment.

llnless the said slots 35 be in alignment. the periodic movement of said feclcr -is through a small arc and consequently .the movement of the. link 52 and the parts connected thereto is also slight. The full pawls 19 from ,engaging the respective ratchets 20, excepting that pawl that is called into action by reason of an opening in the pattern surface 2, aS indicated in Fig.

Thus, if desired, the spindles or plung-Y ers 80 maybe made somewhat shorter than indicated, and so that at times there will be clearance between their ends and the flanges 83 upon the lower arms 84.

In order to maintain the roll 108 in contact with the` cam 109, I provide 'the link 102with a`pi11'j111 to which is connected one end of a coil spring 112, the other end whereof is connected to a pin 113 upon the framing.

The pattern surface2 may be of any suitable form or shape, and may be simply a sheet. Preferably, however, it is endless, and is herein shown as of cylindrical form.

In Figs. 4to 11 inclusive, I have represented counters of different orders that may be employed. These, however, are illustrated for purposes of description merely, and I desire it to be understood that counters of higher and lower order of any suitable denomination or value may be employed. Herein I have in Figs. 5 to 11 respectively represented a units counter, a fives counter, a tens counter, a fifties counter, a one hundreds counter, a five hundreds counter and a thousands counter. The units counter is indicated at 114, it being provided withten notches 35, the fives counter isindicated at 115 and is provided with two oppositely placed notches 35; the tens counter is indicated at 116 and is provided with a single notch 35, the fifties counter` is provided with two disks placed in facing relation, one of them being indicated at 117 in Fig. 11. `Each of said disks of the fifties counter is provided with ten notches 35. The one hundreds counter is provided with `two disks in facing relation, one of them being indicated at 118 in Fig. 9, and each of them is provided with five notches 35. 'Ihe five hundreds counter is provided with two disks in facing relation, one of them being indicated at 119 'in Fig. 10, each of said disks having two diametrically positioned. notches 35. The thousands counter is provided with two disks in facing rela.- tion. one of them being shown at 120 in Fig. 11, and each of said disks is provided 'with a single notch 35.

Each of the said counters is provided witha ratchet 20 as indicated in side elevation in Fig. 3. In Fig. 4, I have indicated in, vertical section two counter elements, namely. the thousands and the live hundreds counters. The two disks of the thousands counter are indicated at 120, 120 in said figure, and at the right and left sides respectively of said disks are represented gears 121, 122 which are respectively secured to the said disks 120, 120. `The ratchet 20 is securedl to one of the gears 121 and to its disk 120.

Gears 121 and 122 have respectively ninety-nine teeth and one hundred teeth. .The Afive hundreds counter shown in Fig. 4 is of generally similar construction to the thousands. It is provided with a ratchet 20 and two gears 123, 124 having respectively ninety-nine teeth and one hundred teeth, and between them are positionedthe two disks 119 ,respectively secured to the said gears.

-In order to convey motion from the ratchet 20 and its attached gear 121 to the gear 122, I provide a series of double pinions 125, 126, each formed as an integral member and loosely mounted upon` a shaft 127 represented in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The pinions 125, 126 have the same'number of teeth, and it will be understood that because the gears 122 and 124 each have one more tooth than the gears 121 and123, it will ,require in the case of the thousands counter one thousand impulses of the corresponding pawl 19 to bring the two notches 35 into transverse alignment, and in the case of the five will' require ve hundredv impulses of the corhundreds counter, it

responding pawl 19 to bring two of the 'Y purpose, I have in Fig. 2, represented the shaft 127 as mountedl in two parallel arms 128 at its opposite ends, 'said arms being at their upper ends provided with eccentric or cam shaped slots 129 receivingpins or screws 130 mounted in the framing 1. A coil spring 131 connected to an ear 132 upon each lever 128 and to the screw 133 upon the framing tends to hold thek levers-in the position indicated in F ig.' 2, and thus to hold the sets of pinions 125, 126 in meshing relation with the pinions 121, 122, etc. By moving the levers 128 in a clockwise direction against the tension of the spring 131, the pinions 125, 126 are withdrawn from meshing relation with the said gears 121, 122, etc.

I have illustrated and described the use of a units counter among others. It is not necessary to employ a units counter, as will be evident from the following. I have described the units' counter as having ten one notch thereby shaft 3,

feel for the notches 35. Tf they are found notches 35. Each of the ratchets 20 for the several counters is shown in-Fig. 3 as having yten notches. Thus it is evident thatwhen the notches are brought into transverse alignment, the proper counter is moved one step, that is, its ratchet 20 is moved the distance of 35. This, however, is the same as moving the units counter the distance between two adjacent notches 35 therein. Thus, the units counter may itself be omitted and the pattern 2 may be moved the distance between two adjacent openings in the units path `ai in Fig. la.

In the said Figure la, l have indicated a series of openings a to g inclusive, which would count 3877.

-Tt is evident from the foregoing description that during a single rotation of the the feeler 34 is oscillated once to to be in alignment, the feeler 34 enters said notches, and as a consequence, the link 52 is moved fully to the left viewing Fig. 3, and the head 58 of the lever 56 is withdrawn from the pawl lever 42 and the head 77 of the lever 54 is/withdrawn from the the pattern 2 through the p ungers 80 controls the actuation of the counters, and the counters in turn control the movement of the pattern 2. The drum 61, by which the parts to be ultimately controlled are positioned or moved, and which I term a subsidiarypat tern, is itself governed in its movement by proper pawl 19 the counters, and .therefore by the pattern 2.

Tt will also be evident that at each rota` tion of the shaft 3, all the spindles or plungers are momentarily withdrawn from the pattern 2, thus freeing said pattern from the plungers and permitting it to be turned dictated by one step, 1f such movement is any one of the counters.

Furthermore, at each rotation of the shaft 3, all the pawls 19 are moved out of engage'ment or awaylfrom the ratchets 20, so that if the notches 35 are found by the feeler 34 to be in transverse alignment, then the may be permitted through the corresponding spindle or plunger 80 to be moved by its spring 24 into engagement with a notch in the corresponding ratchet 20. Furthermore at each rotation of the shaft 3, all of the pawls 19 are moved in a contra-clockwise direction, so that if any one of said pawls has been brought into functioning relationto its ratchet 20, it will impart a movement of one step thereto, the

other pawls moving idly because withheld from functioning relation by the position of the plungers or spindles 80.

Having thus described one illustrative embodiment of my invention, l desire it to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not f0r-purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

l. Counting mechanism comprising in combination, a plurality of independently mounted and independently driven counter members, a pattern member adapted to control said counting members and coordina-ting said members to represent a single predetermined number. aXially movable rods or plungers adapted to engage the pattern member and controlled in position by said formations, and cooperatingmeans whereby the positioning of the rods or plungers determines the movement of the counter members whereby said coordination is effected.

2. Countingmeans comprising in combination, a plurality of counter members-,a pat-tern member adapted to `control said counting members and coordinating said members to represent a single predetermined number, a plurality of axially movable rods or plungers vadapted to contact with said patternmember, and governed in position by said formations, and cooperating means whereby the positioning of said rods or plungers determinesthe movement of said counter members whereby said coordination lis effected.

3. Counting mechanism comprising in combination, a plurality of -rotatable counter members, a pattern member constituting a part of the mechanism, and as such adapted to receive a step-by-step movement, a series of axially movable rods or plungers corresponding in number to said counter members, adapted to contact with said pattern member, and governed in position by the formation thereof, and cooperating means between the rods or plungers and thelgspecL -tive counter members for controlling the movement of the'latter. 115

4. Counting mechanism comprising in combination. a plurality of independently mounted and independently driven/ counter members, a pattern member. means controlled by said pattern member to govern the counter members, and means governed by said counter members to govern said pattern member, said'means governed by said counter/Tnem'bers including a feeler,'and means periodically to move said feeler to and fro with respect to said counter members.

Counting meanscomprising in combination, a plurality of counter members, a pattern member, means controlled by said pattern member to govern the counter members, and means governed by said counter members to govern said pattern member, said means governed by said counter members including a feeler,` and means periodically to oscillate the same toward and from the counter membersutocooperate with the latter as determined by the pattern member.

6. Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality of counter members mounted for independent, step-by-step rotation, and independently driven, means controlled by said pattern membertogovern thecounter members, and means governed by said counter members'toy govern said pattern member, said means governed b said counter members inc-ludinga feeler a apted to enter slots in said counter members,'and means periodically to move said feelerto- 'Ward said counters to enter said slots u on proper indication by the pattern'mem er.

Counting means comprising in combi-y nation, a plurality of independently mounted and independently driven counter members, a: pattern member, means controlled by said pattern member to. govern the counter members, and means governed by said counter members to govern `'said pattern member, said means governed by said counter members including a shaft, a cam thereon, a feeler to engage the counter members, and connections between said eeler and saidf cam to move said feeler.

8. Counting mechanism comprising in combination, a plurality of counter members having slots in their peripheries, a pattern member, means controlled by said pattern member to govern the counter members, and means governed by said counter members to govern said pattern member, said means governed by said counter members including a shaft, a cam thereon, and a feeler adapted to be moved to and fro bysaid cam and to enter the slots in said counter members.

f). Counting mechanism comprising in combination, a plurality of individual counting means which need a certain predetermined plurality of impulses to count to its maximum predetermined number before establishing or returningvto its initial position a cooperating pattern having pre-arranged' and related counteractuating formations to control each of said counting elements. and interrelated mearns whereby each 'countenI upon reaching its maximum predetermined number thereupon controls vor actuates the pattern. said interrelated means including:J a feeler, means periodically to move the same positively against said counters, and upon the arrival of a counter at its maximum vpredetermined number to move to its full extent and thereupon to effect the movement of. tbe cooperating pattern.

10. Counting means comprising in combination` a plurality of independently mounted and independently driven counter members, a pattern lmember, means controlled by said pattern member to govern the counter members, and means governedby said counter members to govern said pattern: member, said latte-r means including a series-of. ratchets for the counter members, a series of pawls for said ratchets, and axially movable members governed by said pattern to determine the functioning of said pawls. Y

l1. Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality of counter members, a pattern member, means controlled by said pattern member to govern the counter members, and means governed by said counter members' to govern said pat-tern member,

said latter means including a `series of ratchets for the counter members, a series of pawls for said ratchets, and axially mov'- able members overned by said pattern to determine the inctioning of said pawls.

` 12- Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality of counter members rotatably mounted upon the same vshaftfor step-bystep movement,.a pattern member, means controlled by said pattern member to govern the counter members, and means gov i erned'by said counter members to govern said patternmember, saidlatter means including a series of ratchets :for the counter' members, a series of pawls for said ratchets, and axially ,movable members governed by said pattern to determine the functioning of said pawls.

13. Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality of independentlyl mounted and independently members, a pattern member, means controlled by said pattern member to govern the counter members, and means governed by said counter members to govern said'pattern member. said latter meansl including a series of ratchets for said counter' members. a series of pawls for said ratchets, and means acting 'periodically to move said pawls away from said ratchets,

14. Counting means comprising in corny bination, a plurality of independently mounted and independently driven counter members. a pattern .member, means controlled by said pattern memberto govern the counter members, and means governed by said counter members to govern said pattern n'icmber, said controlledl and governed means including a series of ratchets for said counter members, a series of. pawls for saidl ratchets, a shaft, a cam thereon, and means periodically operated b v said cam to move said pawls away from said ratchets.

15. Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality of independently mounted and independently driven counter members, a pattern member, meansv controlled by said pattern member to govern the counter members, and means governed driven ,counter lsaid controlle p including a series of ratchets for said coun-l by said counter members to govern said pattern member, said controlled and governed means including a series of ratchets for said counter members, a series of pawlsfor said i'atchets,a shaft, a cam thereon, andmeans periodically operatedby said cam to move said pawls away from said ratchets, and also including means governed by said pattern member to determine the functioning of saidpawls. .r

16. Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality of counter members, a pattern member, means controlled by said pattern member to governzthe counter members, and means governed by said counter members yto govern said pattern member, said cont-rolled means and governing means including a series offratchets for said counters, a series of pawls for said ratchets' and axially movable plungers whose position is determined -by said pattern member and which themselves determine the period of functioning of said pawls. y

17. Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality of counter members, a pattern member, means controlled by said I pattern member togovern the countermembers, and means governed by said counter members to govern said pattern member,

means and governing means ters, a series of pawls for said ratchets, means to oscillate said pawls, means acting periodically to move all of said pawls away from said ratchets and plungers whose posi.

tions are determined by said pattern member and which themselves determine the periods of functioning of saidpawls.

18. Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality of independently mounted and independently driven countery members, a pattern member, means con- I trolled by said pattern member to govern the,l counter members, and means governed by said counter members to govern said pattern member, said controlled'means and governing means including a series of ratchets for said counters` a series of pawls for said ratchets, and axially movable pliingers determined by said pattern member and which themselves determine the period of funct-ioning of said pawls. v

19.` Counting means comprising in combination a plurality of independently mounted and independently driven counter members, a pattern member, means controlled by said pattern member to govern the counter members, and ,means governed by said counter members to governv said pattern member, said contr'olled means and governing means including a series of ratchets for Said counters, a series of pawls for said ratchets, means to oscillate said pawls, means acting periodically to move all of said pawls away from said ratchets, and plungersewhose positions are determined by said pattern member and which themselves determine the periods of functioning of said pawls.

20. Counting mechanism comprising in combination, a plurality of counter members independent-ly mounted upon the same shaft and independently` rotated step-by-step, a pattern member, means controlledv by said pattern-member to govern the counter members, and means governed by said counter members to govern said pattern member, said controlled means and governing means including a series of ratchet-s for said counters, a series of pawls for said ratchets and axially-movable plungeis whose position is determined` by said pattern member and .which themselves determine the period of combination, a plurality of counter members independently mounted upon the saine shaft and independently rotated step-by-step, a pattern member, means controlled by said pattern member to govern the counter members, and means governed by said counter members to govern said pattern member, said controlled means and governing means including a. series of ratchets for said counters, a series of pawls for said ratchets, means to oscillate said pawls, means acting periodically to move all of said pawls away from said ratcliets and p lungers whose positions are determined by said pattern member and which themselves determine the periods of functioning of said pawls.

22. Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality of independently mounted and independently driven counter menibers, a pattern member constituting a. part of the mechanism and having preai'ranged and pre-inter-related formations, means controlled by said pattern member to govern the counter members. and means governed by said counter members to govern said pattern member, said controlled means and said governed means including a shaft` a cam thereon, a series of ratchets for said counters. a

series of pawls for said ratchets, means op-v erated by said cam periodically and regularly to move said pawls away from said ratchets.

23. Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality of independently mounted and independently driven counter menibei's, a pattern member. means controlled by said pattern member to govern the counter members, and means governed by said counter members to govern said pattern member,said controlled ni l:ins and said governed means including a shaft` a cam thereon. a series of ratchets for said counters. a series of pawls for said ratchets. means operated by said cam periodically and i'egularly to move said pawls away from said ias ratchets, and axially movable plungers Whose positions are determined by the pattern member and which themselves determine the times of functioning ot' said pawls.

24.-. Counting mea-ns comprising in combination, a plurality of independently mount-- ed and independently drive-n: counter members, a pattern member adapted to control. said counting members and coordinating said members to represent a single predeterminednumber, and mea-ns controlled by said pattern member to govern the counter members whereby said coordination is effected, said `controlled means including a plurality ofl elements adapted to engage the surface of.

said pattern member, andmeans periodically to impart relative separating movement to said elements and said pattern member.

25. Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality of counter members, a patternmember adapted to control said counting members and coordinating 'salid members to represent a single predetermined number and means controlled by said pattern member to govern the counter members whereby said coordination is effected, said controlled means including a plurality of elements adapted to engage the surface of said pattern member, and means periodically to impart relative separating movement to said elements and said pattern member.

26. Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality of independently moimted and independently driven counter members, a pattern member adapte-d to control said counting members and coordinating said members to represent a single predetermined number, and means controlled by said pattern member to govern the counter members whereby said coordination is effected, said controlled means including a plurality of rods or plungers adapted to engage said pattern member, and means periodically to move all of said rods or plungers awa-y from the pattern member, thereby to permit movement of the pattern member.

27. Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality of independently mounted and independentlv driven counter members, a pattern member, means controlled by said pattern member to govern the counter members, and means governed by said counter members to vern said pattern member, said controlle means and governing means including a` plurality of ratchets for said counters, a plurality of pawls for said ratchets, a shaft, a cam thereon, connections from said cam periodically to move all of said pawls away from said ratchets and plungers to engage the surface of said pattern member and themselves adapted to engage the ratchets to determine the functioning thereof.

28. Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality of independently govern the counter mem mounted and independently driven counter members, a pattern member, means controlled by said pattern member to govern the counter members, and means governed by said counter members to govern said pattern member, said counter members having notches adapted to be brought into transverse alignment, a feeler to enter said aligned notches, a shaft, a cam thereon to rock said feeler, arsecond cam upon said shaft, ratchets for said counters, pawls for said ratchets, connections from said second cam periodically to move all of said pawls away from said ratchets, and plungers engaging said pattern member and themselves determining the periods of functioning of said pawls.

29. Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality of independently mounted and independently driven counter members, a attern member, means con-` trolled by sai pattern member to govern the counter members, a subsidiary pattern, means to impart step-by-step movement thereto, and means governed by s aid pattern member to determine the time of movement of said subsidiary pattern.

30. Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality of independently mounted and independently driven counter members, a main pattern member constituting a part of the mechanism and having prcarran'ged and pre-inter-related formations, means controlled by said attern member to bers, a subsidiary 100 pattern member, means to impart step-bystep movement thereto, and means governed by said pattern member to` determine the times of step-by-step actuation of'said subsidiary pattern member. V

31. Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality of independently mounted and independently driven counter members, .a main pattern member, means controlled by said pattern memberto govern 110 the counter members, a subsidiary pattern drum,A ratchet and pawl means to impart step-by-step movement thereto, and means under the control of. said pattern and counter members to determine the times of 115 step-by-step4 movement of said drum.

32. 'Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality of counter members,

la main pattern member, means controlled bers, and means governed by-said counter members to ,govern said pattern member, said controlled means and governed means comprising a shaft having three cams thereon, a feeler for said counters operated by one of said cams, pawls and ratchets for said counters operated by another of said cams, a plurality of elements engaging the surface of said pattern member, and means operated by the third of said cams periodically to move said elements away from said pattern member.

34. Counting means comprising in com- Abination, a plurality of independently mounted and independently driven counter members, a pattern member, means controlled by said pattern member to govern the counter members, and means governed by said counter members to govern said pattern member, said controlled means and governed means comprisingl a shaft having three cams thereon, a feeler for said counters operated by one of said cams, pawls and ratchets for said counters operated by another of said cams, a plurality of elements engaging the surface of said pattern member, and means operated by the third of said cams periodically to move said elements,

away from said pattern member.

35. Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality ofv independently mounted and independently driven counter members, a pattern member constituting a part of the mechanism and having prear ranged and pre-inter-related formations, :i series of rods or plungers adapted to contaci; with said patternmember and to govern 'the counter members, and means periodically to withdraw the rods or plungers from the pattern member.

36. Counting means comprising in combination, a plurality of independently mounted and independently driven `counter members, a perforated pattern member adapted to be moved step-by-step, a series of rods oir plungers adapted to engage` the surface of said pattern member and to conf trol the movement ofthe countermembers, and means periodically to move said4 rods or members away from the pattern member to permit a "stepped movement of the pattern member.

37. Countingmeans comprising in combination, a plurality pattern member adapted to control said counting members and coordinating said members to represent a single predetermined number, a. series of elements adapted to engage the surface of the pattern member and to determine the movement of the counter members, and means periodically to move said 'elements away from the surface of said pattern member to permit movement of said pattern member.

38. Counting means comprising in combiof counting members, av

ambisce nation, a plurality of independentlymounted and independently driven counter members, a perforated pattern member adapted to receive a step-by-stepmovement constituting apart of the mechanism and having prearranged and pre-inter-related formations, a series of rods or plungers adapted to enter the perforations of said pattern member and themselves adapted to control the movement of said counter members, and means periodically to withdraw said rods or elements from the perforations of the pattern member to permit a step movement of said pattern member.

39. Counting mechanism comprising in combination, a plurality of independently mounted and independently driven counter members, a pattern member adapted tobe moved step-by-step, a series of elements adapted to engage the surface of said pattern member, a series of ratchets for said counter members` a series of pawls for said ratchets, the functioning of said pawls being determined by said plungers, a shaft, a cam thereon, and connections from said cam periodically to move said pawls, the functioning whereof is controlled by said plungers.

40. Counting mechanism comprisin in combination, a plurality of counter mem ers, a pattern member adapted to be moved stepby-step, a series of elements adapted to engage the surface of said pattern member, a series of ratchets for said counter members, a series of' pawls for'said ratchets, the functioning of said pawls being determined by 100 said plungers, a shaft, a cam thereon, andl connections from said cam periodically to move said pawls, the functioning whereof is controlled by said plungers.

41. Counting mechanism comprising in 105 combination, a plurality of counter members,

a pattern member, a series of elements contacting with the surface of said pattern member and themselves controlling the movements of said counter members, and'110 means to remove from said elements strain against the surface of said pattern member.

42. Counting mechanism comprising in combination, a plurality of counting members, a perforated pattern member having a 1,15 step-by-sten movement, a series of rods or plungers adapted to enter perforations in said pattern member andthemselves to control the movements of said counter members, and means to remove strain of axial thrust 120 from said plungers. l

43. Counting mechanism comprising in combination, a plurality of counter meinbers, a shaft whereon they are 4all mounted cisV for independent rotation, a second shaft in tern'member carried by said third shaft and adapted to govern the movement of said counter members,` and a fourth shaft in substantially transverse alignment with the first, second and third shafts and having a. subsidiary pattern, the movements whereof are governed by said' first mentioned pattern and said counter members. 4

44. Counting means comprising in combination a plurality of counter membe, a shaft whereon they are mounted, a second shaft having three cams thereon, three 1evers engaging said cams and moved thereby, and functioning parts cooperating with said counters and controlled by said levers.

In testimony whereof, I have signed myname to this specification.

EDGAR F. HATHAWAY. 

